Spills: Prevention and containment

Spills, depending on their content, have the potential to cause major problems. Here David Lummis discusses the BSIF's latest collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA) on spills and how best to prevent and contain them

In late 2012 the BSIF and EA commissioned two reports on spills prevention and containment in the construction and waste management industries. The primary reason for focusing on these industries was because statistics from the EA indicated high incident levels of spill pollution in construction and waste management.

The main objectives of the reports were to: Identify the key spill prevention issues in the industries Understand and identify ways to overcome barriers to best practice in order to help reduce spill risks.

Both reports are available to download for free at: bsif.co.uk and environmentagency.gov.uk.

Waste management industry In order to get an insider view on the problem, the BSIF and EA commissioned a research project that involved waste management industry figures openly discussing their experiences of spills.

Overall, 23 industry figures participated in this exercise either via individual interviews or via one of the three focus groups. The participants all fell into one of two categories: The majority worked for a waste management organisation, and a small number worked for companies that supply spill containment products or services.

Twenty of the respondents fell into the former category and three fell into the latter.

The report gives an insight into the most common spills faced by waste companies on and off site. The most common spills mentioned include spills as a result of moving oil and diesel, leachate, chemical spills and fire water run-off. Another relatively common cause of spills is the breaking of hydraulic hoses on lorries. This often happens away from site and can lead to a spill of up to 100L of hydraulic fluid.

Several participants pointed out that they have limited control where spills can occur, for example when waste is delivered in unsafe and unsuitable containers and when there is vandalism on site. However the company remains liable for these incidents and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent them.

The report details how the company handles spills and outlines the barriers for not following best practice and how these can be overcome. The report also outlines what makes for best practice and how by applying simple steps spills can be prevented and contained better.

Construction industry The report examined the challenges faced in preventing spills, environmental hazards and the cost implications of such issues occurring in the construction industry.

The report is written in collaboration with, and features interviews and discussion pieces from, national regulators and experts from the largest construction businesses in the UK including: The chairman of the Environment Agency, the global sustainability director at WSP, Vinci Construction UK, Costain, Willmott Dixon and many more.

Key topics covered in the report include: An outline on guidelines, support and future actions to encourage environmental management within the UK construction sector from the EA.

Identifying common spill threats and the cost of remedy.

Whether there is such a thing as a 'low level hazard' or should - and can - all hazards be treated as 'high priority'? Contractor or developer: Whose responsibility is spill prevention and how should the hazard avoidance tasks be shared? Developing a spill training plan: knowing the basics to put in place.

How to ensure the appropriate disposal of hazardous waste and liquids both during and post construction phase.

Building a spill prevention kit for your specific needs: tips from the experts.

In conclusion Not surprisingly, both the reports have identified that applying best practice is not only good business sense but supports best environmental practice too; spills cause damage and cost money. It is in everyone's interest to prevent spills and where necessary contain them safely.

Both the BSIF and the EA want to encourage companies to adopt best practice to reduce the spill incident rate, the severity of pollution and the wasted cost to the respective industries.

BSIF members have extensive experience in these markets and can offer support and advice to help both industry sectors to, at best, prevent spills and at least, contain them better.

The BSIF represents manufacturers and distributors of safety, health and environmental products, training companies, safety and environmental consultancies, together with accreditation and inspection houses, publishers and risk management consultancies. It is an HSE-recognised competent authority and the lead trade body for the PPE Regulations, as designated by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.